Yahoo Lifestyle Sony Music, Music Women* Germany Reveal 2024 Female* Producer Prize Winners
Sony Music Germany and Music Women* Germany have unveiled the winners of the third annual Female* Producer Prize, recognizing 10 female and non-binary producers across two categories.
The initiative, which aims to boost visibility and networking for women in music production, saw over 250 applications this year, marking a 50% increase from previous iterations. With the use of * the awards organizers aim to include all female-identifying and non-binary people.
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This year’s competition introduced two categories: “Producer” and “Self-Producing Artist,” acknowledging the distinct skill sets required for each role.
The “Self-Producing Artist” category honored six winners:
Joules the Fox, a musician, singer, and producer in the folk, pop, indie and neo-classical genres, with over 200 European and Canadian concerts under her belt.
KUOKO, a pop artist whose songs, streamed millions of times, explore themes of being a FLINTA* in a digital society, with two self-produced albums released. FLINTA* is a German acronym that stands for Frauen, Lesben, Intergeschlechtliche, nichtbinäre, trans und agender Personen, a term that includes women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans and agender people with the asterisk at the end of the term representing all other forms of self-identification that are not explicitly mentioned.
lùisa, known for blending folk rock and indie pop with retro arrangements and dreampop influences, gained international recognition with her album “New Woman.”
Melane, recognized for her cross-genre mix of Afro, rumba, and pop, is set to release her debut solo album “Mirrors & Windows” in 2024.
Philo Tsoungui, an artist with Cameroonian roots who transcends genre boundaries, combining her classical percussion and popular music background with EDM and IDM influences.
Sera Kalo, a genre-fluid Caribbean-American artist who has contributed to over 23 albums in Germany and Asia, with her debut “eXante” nominated for the German Record Critics’ Award in 2023.
The “Producer” category recognized four winners:
Lisa Kida, a producer with Kosovan roots creating cross-genre sounds influenced by pop, experimental reggaeton, dancehall and hip-hop.
Mia Diekow, a producer and singer-songwriter since 2007, blending chamber pop, indie, folk, and electronica, who is also an activist for post-infectious diseases.
Perera Elsewhere, an award-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist in experimental pop, known for combining experimental beats with deep bass frequencies and existential themes.
YUKI, a producer merging modern sounds with intimate details, influenced by darker hyperpop, electronic, dance and trap genres.
The winners will receive personal coaching, prize packages, and access to masterclasses at Sony Music Germany’s Circle Studios in Berlin. Additionally, they’ll be added to Sony Music Germany’s roster for labels and artists, potentially opening doors to future collaborations.
The jury for this year’s prize included notable industry figures such as Purple Disco Machine, Inéz, Isabel Gracefield, Noraa, and Vincent v. Schlippenbach.
An award ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 29 at Fotografiska Berlin.
The Female* Producer Prize is backed by RBX GmbH with funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, along with support from Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing, Thomann Musikhaus, Ableton and the SAE Institute.
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